Empire Diner Patty Melt Recipes

PATTY MELT

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter with the vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until the onions are golden and caramelized, 25 to 30 minutes. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine the beef, pork, Worcestershire, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form each into a patty in the shape of and a little larger than a slice of the rye bread.
• Add some oil to a large griddle pan and set it over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the burgers in batches if needed, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Remove the burgers to a platter and cover loosely with foil. Repeat with the remaining burgers if needed.
• Set a large skillet or griddle pan over medium-low heat (or wipe out the griddle pan from the burgers and use that). Butter one side of each slice of rye bread with 1/2 tablespoon of the remaining butter and place the bread slices butter-side down on the griddle. Lay 2 slices of cheese on 6 of the bread slices, then add a burger, one-sixth of the onions and 2 more slices of cheese on top. Place one of the remaining bread slices on top of each sandwich, buttered-side up. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown and the bottom cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a spatula, flip the sandwiches to toast the other sides and melt the cheese, another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a platter and cover loosely with foil.
• Slice each sandwich in half to serve.

DINER-STYLE PATTY MELT

Steps:

• Stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, caraway, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and several grinds of black pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
• Heat a 2-burner griddle over medium heat. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over the surface of the griddle. Add the onions and peppers and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, tossing occasionally, until tender and golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Push to one side of the griddle and Scrape the griddle clean.
• Combine the beef, Worcestershire and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl and mix with your hands to combine. Form into 2 oval patties about 1/2 inch thick each, slightly larger than the size of the slices of toast (they will shrink a little as they cook). Season both sides of the patties with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a couple cranks of black pepper.
• Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter on the grill over medium to medium-high heat. Add the patties on one side of the griddle and press to flatten with a metal spatula. Cook, flipping once, until browned and almost cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Meanwhile, lay the Texas toast down on the other side of the griddle. Toast one side, 1 to 2 minutes, then remove to your cutting board.
• To assemble, spread the toasted side of 2 pieces of bread with half of the mayo mixture. Add a slice of Swiss cheese to each, then a burger patty. Top with the onion mixture and the American cheese. Spread the remaining mayo mixture on the toasted sides of the last 2 pieces of Texas Toast and top the sandwiches mayo-side down.
• Set the sandwiches on the griddle over medium low heat. Toast, flipping once, until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp and toasty, about 3 minutes per side. Cut in half to serve, with ketchup on the side.

DINER-STYLE PATTY MELT

Steps:

• Heat butter and oil in a Dutch oven. Add onions, season with salt and pepper, cook, stirring continually, for 3 minutes. Cover with a lid and allow onions to caramelize, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine ground beef, garlic salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Shape ground beef into 4 rectangular patties.
• Cook patties in a skillet over medium-high heat, flipping once, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add a slice of Swiss cheese to each patty and top each with an equal amount of caramelized onions.
• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Spread 1 teaspoon butter over each slice of bread. Broil until lightly golden and toasted. Assemble patty melts and serve immediately.